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Green light for falls prevention programme
Green light for falls prevention programme
A major national community falls prevention programme for people aged over‐65 which was developed by the joint Auckland‐Waitemata DHB Funding team was given the official go‐ahead today.
The programme will see the Government invest $30.5 million over the next four years in supporting better outcomes for older people at‐risk of a fall or injury.
It is the product of the two DHBs working closely with ACC to develop a new national model for improving the availability of falls and injury prevention initiatives.
"Once people reach 65, their risk of suffering a fall begins to increase. The impacts can be significant in terms of fall‐related injuries, loss‐of‐confidence and social engagement," said Auckland DHB CEO Ailsa Claire.
"This is about minimising the risk of falls by identifying key risks before they occur and then making appropriate interventions to protect the health of our older Kiwis."
Waitemata DHB CEO Dr Dale Bramley said: “It is fantastic that our joint funding team has played a prominent role in developing a new model with the potential to bring about such positive, far‐reaching change for many people and their families.
“It’s also a great example of our DHBs using our combined knowledge and skills to take a national leadership role in a complex area of health care where, unfortunately, demand for treatment continues to grow.”